Intravaginal therapeutic muscle exerciser and method of use

ABSTRACT

A longitudinally extending fluid filled deformable member adapted to be inserted into the vaginal canal to facilitate voluntary exercise of the muscles of the pelvic diaphragm and a fluid conduit connecting such device to an external indicator means to provide visible indicia of such muscular constrictions.

United States Patent Inventor Eric Boning 8762 Long Point, Houston, Tex. 77055 19,555

Mar. 20, 1970 Aug. 10, 1971 Continuation of application Ser. No. 659,705, Aug. 10, 1967, now abandoned.

Appl. No. Filed Patented INTRAVAGINAL THERAPEUTIC MUSCLE EXERCISE]! AND METHOD OF USE 2 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 128/2 R Int. Cl A61b 17/42 Field ofSarch 128/2 R, 344

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,544,931 3/1951 Marco 128/2 R 2,638,093 SH 953 Kulick 128/344 X 2,839,050 6/1958 Sokol 128/2 R 3,095,871 7/1963 Mann et al 128/2 R FOREIGN PATENTS 629,556 9/1949 Great Britain 128/344 Primary Examiner-William E. Kamm Anorney-Pravel, Wilson and Matthews ABSTRACT: A longitudinally extending fluid filled deformable member adapted to be inserted into the vaginal canal to facilitate voluntary exercise of the muscles of the pelvic diaphragm and a fluid conduit connecting such device to an external indicator means to provide visible indicia of such muscular constrictions.

PATENTED AUBIOISYI 3,598,106

INVENTOR Magda PMIIQI WM Kr Mafliewl 14 TTOR NE YS INTRAVAGINAL THERAPEUTIC MUSCLE EXERCISER AND METHOD OF USE CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of my US. Pat. application No. 659,705, filed Aug. 10, I967, and copending herewith, and now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l. Field of the Invention The present invention pertains to an intravaginal appliance for therapeutic application adapted to be inserted into the vaginal canal as an aid in voluntarily contracting the muscles of the pelvic diaphragm.

2. Description of the Prior Art Although various exercises have been devised to either strengthen normal muscles or weakened muscles or restore strength of overstretched muscles of the pelvic diaphragm, which frequently occurs as a result of childbirth, as a practical matter, a voluntary program of routine exercise of the pelvic diaphragm is seldom sustained long enough to be satisfactory. This is partly due to the location of the muscles comprising the pelvic diaphragm, such as the levator ani muscles, the deep and superficial transverse pemeal muscles, the iliococcygeus, the pubococcygeus muscles, and the bulbocavernosus and ischiocavemosus muscles in a part of the body where they cannot be seen. Also, because these muscles are not routinely used voluntarily like an arm or leg muscle and because they cannot be seen when they are flexed, many women find them difficult to consciously flex or contract; therefore, the response to an exercise program is generally discouraging.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly, the present invention includes a deformable member which is adapted to be inserted into the vagina and which is connected to a measuring instrument for providing a visual or other type of indication of muscular constrictions of the muscles comprising the pelvic diaphragm.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved intravaginal device and method to facilitate exercise of the muscles of the pelvic diaphragm, and particularly a sustained routine of exercises having therapeutic value.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a therapeutic exercising device and method for exercising the muscles of the pelvic diaphragm including an indicator means for indicating the duration and/or degree of the constriction of such muscles.

In addition to using the apparatus of the present invention for routine post partum exercises, such apparatus may also be used in the treatment and/or prevention of the prolapse of the uterus as well as cystocele or rectocele.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I of the drawings which is partially in section and partially in elevation shows details of construction of the intravaginal apparatus of the present invention connected to a measuring device for indicating volumetric changes in such apparatus; and

FIG. 2 shows details of construction of a connecting means for connecting the intravaginal device to the indicator and FIGS. 2A and 2B show details of alternate connecting means for connecting the intravaginal device to the indicator.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As shown in the drawings, the apparatus of the present invention preferably comprises a longitudinally extending generally cylindrical hollow member C connected by means of a tube T to a meter or measuring device M. In the preferred form of this invention, a colored or tinted fluid F, such as water having a nontoxic and nonallergic coloring agent therein or other suitable liquid, is contained in the cylindrical body or member C as well as the tube T and the measuring device M. Thus, it will be appreciated that any changes in the diameter of the deformable body C will be reflected in the measuring device M to show the user the duration and to some extent the degree of contraction of the muscles of the pelvic diaphragm.

Considering now the apparatus of this invention in more detail, the cylindrical member or body C is preferably made of rubber, plastic, or other suitable nontoxic and nonallergic pliable or flexible material which may readily be deformed by squeezing so as to displace a portion of the fluid contained therein. As shown, the body or member C normally comprises a longitudinally extending generally cylindrical body having a closed end 20 and an open end 21. A hollow neck portion 22 is provided adjacent the open end 21 for receiving a clamp or closure means 25 which is provided for closing the open end 21 when desired.

The tubular member T, which connects the body C to the meter or measuring device M, is normally formed of rubber or plastic and is preferably pliable enough to be easily flexible and yet sufficiently rigid so as to be substantially free from stretching or bulging in response to pressure differentials therein as a result of squeezing the member C. It is desirable for the tube T to be sufficiently rigid so that substantially all of the fluid displaced from the member C will be conducted through the tube T to the fluid reservoir I4 without notable increase in the contents of the fluid in the tube T so as to accurately reflect the volume of the fluid F displaced from the member C.

Shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings is the structure for connecting the member C and the tube T in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the end 2] of the neck portion 22 forms a butt type joint with the end 3| of the flexible tube T. A short pipe or conduit 35 having threads 37 is secured to the end 21 of the body C for connection to the tube T for providing communication therebetween. Such sleeve or conduit 35 may be made of rigid material such as metal or a rigid plastic or, if desired, a tubular projection may be formed integrally with either the neck of the member C or the end of the tube T which may be inserted into the other to provide fluid communication therebetween (FIGS. 2A and 2B). A manually operable spring type clamp 25 is normally provided on the neck 22 of the member C and a similar manually operable clamp 26 is provided on the tube T adjacent the end 31 to provide a quick acting means for closing communication through the neck 22 and tube T. Such neck 22 and tube T are sufficiently resilient to open the passages therein when the clamps are released. When the member C and the tube T are filled with fluid, the clamps 25 and 26 are closed so that the tube T may be disconnected from the member C with very little fluid loss and may thereafter be readily reconnected so that when the clamps 25 and 26 are released, a continuous column of fluid will extend from the deformable member or body C to the metering device M.

Considering the metering device M in more detail, as shown in the drawings, such metering device M preferably comprises a fluid reservoir l4 which may be cylindrical or of some other desired configuration and is preferably formed of a unbreakable transparent resilient material such as plastic or the like which may be dropped on a hard surface such as tile floor without fear or danger of breakage.

The reservoir portion 14 of the measuring device M is preferably a closed container form of a top 40 and a bottom 41 with a vertically disposed side wall 42 extending therebetween. An opening (not shown) is provided in the top 40 to facilitate filling the reservoir 14 and a plug or cap 43 is provided for closing such opening. An inlet tube 44 is connected adjacent the bottom 41 for connecting the tubular member T to the reservoir 14.

A transparent graduated measuring tube 46 is preferably connected to the top of the fluid reservoir 14 by suitable means or, if desired, the measuring tube 46 may extend below the top 40 a short distance so as to be immersed in fluid in the reservoir 14 when it is not completely filled. Such measuring tube 46 is provided with a graduated scale 47 for indicating the volume of fluid displaced from the fluid reservoir 14 when the member or body C is squeezed as will be described hereinafter.

In using the apparatus of the present invention, the member or cylindrical body C is preferably connected to the tubular member T and the fluid reservoir 14 filled to the mark on the graduated scale 47. Thereafter, the longitudinally extending cylinder C is lubricated with a suitable lubricant and inserted into the vagina. With the two shut off valves or clamps 25 and 37 open so that a continuous fluid column extends from the cylinder C to the fluid reservoir 14, the patient P proceeds to flex the muscles such as the iliococcygeus, the pubococcygeus, and the levator ani muscles which comprise the pelvic diaphragm. When these muscles are properly flexed, they will contribute a sphincteric action on the vaginal canal and thereby displace fluid from the cylinder C, which fluid displacement will be indicated in the upstanding graduated tube 46 of the metering or measuring device M. By observing the elevation of the tinted fluid in the measuring tube, the patient will receive a positive indication of the degree and also the duration of the effective flexing of the muscles of the pelvic diaphragm.

After each period of use, the clamps or valves 25 and 26 may be closed to shut off fluid flow out of the cylindrical deformable member C and also through the tubular member T. Thereafter, the cylindrical member C may be disconnected from the tube T to facilitate cleaning and storage of the apparatus of this invention. If desired, the device M can be stored away after use or can be permanently affixed to a wall or on a nightstand.

it will be appreciated that electrical indicators or other types of indicators may be connected to the member C for in dicating muscular movement, if desired. Also, a pressure actuated device having an orifice for restricting fluid flow from the member C may be used instead of a fluid column as shown.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention are illustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in the size, shape, and materials as well as in the details of the illustrated construction may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim is:

l. A liquid filled therapeutic device for use by patients in exercising the unseen muscles of the pelvic diaphragm, including the iliococcygeus, the pubococcygeus, and the levator ani muscles, comprising:

a. a liquid storage reservoir;

b. a colored liquid held in said reservoir, said liquid comprising: ].water; and 2. a nontoxic coloring agent in said water;

c. transparent graduated indicating column means mounted with said reservoir for indicating the amount of said colored liquid stored in said reservoir hy the height of a column of said colored liquid in said transparent indicating column means;

d. an elongated elliptical member of pliable material for contracting in response to constriction of the muscles of the pelvic diaphragm and containing a quantity of said liquid to substantially fully fill and distend said member during insertion in the vaginal canal;

e. a tubular connecting means having one end connected to said reservoir;

. a connecting member connected to an end of said liquid filled member and the other end of tubular connecting means;

g. first means for closing said tubular connecting means intermediate said connecting member and said fluid reservoir; and

h. second means for closing said end of said liquid filled member; whereby the patient may close said second means and maintain said member distended to facilitate insertion of said member in the vaginal canal and subsequently open said second means permitting contraction of said liquid filled member by constriction of the vaginal muscles which increases the amount of liquid in said reservoir thereby increasing the height of the column of said liquid of said indicating means to indicate to the patient the degree and duration of the effective constriction of the muscles of the pelvic diaphragm.

2. A method of therapeutically exercising the unseen muscles of the pelvic diaphragm, including the iliococcygeus, the puboccygeus and the levator ani muscles, comprising the steps of:

a. attaching the first end ofa flow member to an outlet of a storage reservoir, such storage reservoir having an indicating column mounted therewith;

b. attaching a first clamp to the second end of the flow member;

c. attaching an elongated elliptical pliable member to the second end of the flow member;

d. attaching a second clamp to the elongated pliable member adjacent the flow member;

e. filling the storage reservoir with a colored liquid;

f. opening the first clamp and the second clamp to permit passage of the colored liquid from the storage reservoir through the flow member to the pliable member;

g. filling the pliable member with the colored liquid;

h. distending the pliable member with the colored liquid;

. engaging the second clamp to prevent escape of the colored liquid from the distended pliable member;

j. inserting the distended pliable member into the vaginal canal;

k. releasing the second clamp to permit flow of the colored liquid into and out of the pliable member in response to constrictions of the unseen muscles of the pelvic diaphragm whereby the user may determine progress in the therapeutic exercise of the muscles of the pelvic diaphragm by observing the fluctuation of the colored liquid in the indicating column mounted with the storage reservoir. 

1. A liquid filled therapeutic device for use by patients in exercising the unseen muscles of the pelvic diaphragm, including the iliococcygeus, the pubococcygeus, and the levator ani muscles, comprising: a. a liquid storage reservoir; b. a colored liquid held in said reservoir, said liquid comprising:
 1. water; and
 2. a nontoxic coloring agent in said water; c. transparent graduated indicating column means mounted with said reservoir for indicating the amount of said colored liquid stored in said reservoir by the height of a column of said colored liquid in said transparent indicating column means; d. an elongated elliptical member of pliable material for contracting in response to constriction of the muscles of the pelvic diaphragm and containing a quantity of said liquid to substantially fully fill and distend said member during insertion in the vaginal canal; e. a tubular connecting means having one end connected to said reservoir; f. a connecting member connected to an end of said liquid filled member and the other end of tubular connecting means; g. first means for closing said tubular connecting means intermediate said connecting member and said fluid reservoir; and h. second means for closing said end of said liquid filled member; whereby the patient may close said second means and maintain said member distended to facilitate insertion of said member in the vaginal canal and subsequently open said second means permitting contraction of said liquid filled member by constriction of the vaginal muscles which increases the amount of liquid in said reservoir thereby increasing the height of the column of said liquid of said indicating means to indicate to the patient the degree and duration of the effective constriction of the muscles of the pelvic diaphragm.
 2. A method of therapeutically exercising the unseen muscles of the pelvic diaphragm, including the iliococcygeus, the pubococcygeous and the levator ani muscles, comprising the steps of: a. attaching the first end of a flow member to an outlet of a storage reservoir, such storage reservoir having an indicating column mounted therewith; b. attaching a first clamp to the second end of the flow member; c. attaching an elongated elliptical pliable member to the second end of the flow member; d. attaching a second clamp to the elongated pliable member adjacent the flow member; e. filling the storage reservoir with a colored liquid; f. opening the first clamp and the second clamp to permit passage of the colored liquid from the storage reservoir through the flow member to the pliable member; g. filling the pliable member with the colored liquid; h. distending the pliable member with the colored liquid; i. engaging the second clamp to prevent escape of the colored liquid from the distended pliable member; j. inserting the distended pliable member into the vaginal canal; k. releasing the second clamp to permit flow of the colored liquid into and out of the pliable member in response to constrictions of the unseen muscles of the pelvic diaphragm whereby the user may determine progress in the therapeutic exercise of the muscles of the pelvic diaphragm by observing the fluctuation of the colored liquid in the indicating column mounted with the storage reservoir.
 2. a nontoxic coloring agent in said water; c. transparent graduated indicating column means mounted with said reservoir for indicating the amount of said colored liquid stored in said reservoir by the height of a column of said colored liquid in said transparent indicating column means; d. an elongated elliptical member of pliable material for contracting in response to constriction of the muscles of the pelvic diaphragm and containing a quantity of said liquid to substantially fully fill and distend said member during insertion in the vaginal canal; e. a tubular connecting means having one end connected to said reservoir; f. a connecting member connected to an end of said liquid filled member and the other end of tubular connecting means; g. first means for closing said tubular connecting means intermediate said connecting member and said fluid reservoir; and h. second means for closing said end of said liquid filled member; whereby the patient may close said second means and maintain said member distended to facilitate insertion of said member in the vaginal canal and subsequently open said second means permitting contraction of said liquid filled member by constriction of the vaginal muscles which increases the amount of liquid in said reservoir thereby increasing the height of the column of said liquid of said indicating means to indicate to the patient the degree and duration of the effective constriction of the muscles of the pelvic diaphragm. 